Delphinium plant named ‘Morining Sunrise’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Delphinium  hybrid cultivar named ‘Morning Sunrise’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright plant habit, vigorous growth and large, pure white flowers with a large quantity of petals. The new cultivar produces strong flower stems, freely and continuously flowering from early through late Summer. The new variety is a  Delphinium  hybrid, suitable for garden or outdoor container use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Delphinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘MORNING SUNRISE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety was discovered, by the inventor, as the result ofplanned breeding program, involving hand-crossing of proprietaryseedlings in Scotland. The parent varieties are both unnamed,undistributed proprietary seedlings. The discovery of the new varietywas made by the inventor, Tony Coakley in August 2001 in a cultivatedfield of Delphiniums in Glasgow, Scotland.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Morning Sunrise’ by tissueculture was performed in the Netherlands following selection and hasshown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Morning Sunrise’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Morning Sunrise’ These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Morning Sunrise’ as a new and distinctDelphinium cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flower stem.    -   4. Freely and continuous flowering habit.    -   5. Increased number of petals.    -   6. Unique color combination within the floret.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Morning Sunrise’ are similar to plants ofthe seed parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid in mosthorticultural characteristics; however, flowers of the new variety havemore petals, and a stronger, more consistent color.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Morning Sunrise’ are similar to plants ofthe pollen parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid in mosthorticultural characteristics; however, flowers of the new variety havemore petals, and a stronger, more consistent color.

The inventor is unaware of similar commercial varieties for comparisonto ‘Morning Sunrise.’ The strong flowering stems, unique flowercoloration and increased petal count make the new cultivar unlike otherDelphiniums in the trade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘Morning Sunrise’ grown outdoors in Scotland. The potsize is a 1 liter container. The plant shown is approximately 9 months.The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘Morning Sunrise’ plants grown outdoors in theScotland from Winter to Summer. The growing temperature ranged from 5°C. to 17° C. at night to 14° C. to 28° C. during the day. Measurementsand numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Delphinium hybrid cultivar ‘MORNING    SUNRISE.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: About 4 to 5 weeks at approximately 10° C.-   Root description: Fine, fibrous and fleshy roots.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright herbaceous perennial.-   Height: Approximately 105 cm.-   Blooming period: Naturally blooming continuously from early through    late Summer.-   Plant spread: Approximately 60 cm.-   Growth rate: Vigorous.-   Branching characteristics: Very little branching.-   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 35 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 1.2 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: Approximately 2 or 3.-   Texture of lateral branches: Smooth, non-pubescent.-   Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.-   Aspect: Approximately 15 to 25° Angle.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 20.-   Age of plant described: Approximately 9 months from a rooted tissue    culture liner.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rosette at plant base and alternate along            flowering stems.        -   Average length.—Approximately 16 cm cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 18 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Palmately lobed; Symmetrical.        -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.        -   Base.—Reniform to hastate.        -   Attachment.—Stalked.        -   Margin.—Incised.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Upper side: Near R.H.S. Green 137A. Under side: Near            Green 138B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate Venation color upper side: Near            Green 137B. Venation color under side: Near Green 138C.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 12 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Coloration.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.        -   Texture.—Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Typically flowering continuously from early through    late Summer.-   Bud:    -   -   Bud shape.—Orbicular to obovate.        -   Bud length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.        -   Bud diameter.—Approximately 2.0 cm.        -   Bud color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Numerous multi-petaled flowers arranged on a raceme.        -   Length of flowering stem.—Approximately 70 cm.        -   Diameter of flowering stem.—Approximately 11 cm.-   Flower:    -   -   Quantity of individual flowers per flowering stem.—About 60.        -   Diameter of individual flower.—Approximately 6.0 cm.        -   Depth of individual flower.—Approximately 2.0 cm.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Persistence.—Persists.-   Petals/petaloids:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.        -   Aspect/orientation.—Flat outward to slightly downward,            approximately 5° angle.        -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 16.        -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.4 cm.        -   Apex shape.—Pointed.        -   Base.—Roughly obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS White 155C,            tinged Yellow-Green 144A. Upper surface at maturity: Pure            White, tinged, Near RHS White 155C. Upper surface at fading:            Not fading, same as mature coloration. Under surface at            first opening: Near RHS White 155C, tined Yellow-Green 144A.            Under surface at maturity: Near Pure White, tinged, Near RHS            White 155C. Under surface at fading: Not fading, same as            mature coloration.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 26.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.4 cm.        -   Apex shape.—Dentate.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D and White 155C.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

All organs are fragmented due to the amount of petals, making thecultivar sterile.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    diseases or pests has been observed in this variety.-   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Extremely hardy    perennial. Hardy to −20° C. Upper temperature tolerance unknown. No    tolerance for drought-   Fruit/seed production: Cultivar is sterile, no fruit or seed    produced.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Delphinium plant named ‘MorningSunrise’ as herein illustrated and described.